How to Take Accurate Body Measurements

"Find the Perfect Clothing Fit with Your Own Body Measurements"

If you want to become a shopping savvy fashionista, then taking your own body measurements is a good first step.

By knowing your body’s three-dimensional angles, you’ll know if a clothing you're planning on buying is a good fit for your shape.

Knowing your body measurements is simply a valuable knowledge for both women and men when shopping for clothes online. And it'll save you a lot of time and money.

That's because most womens clothing aren’t standard – that means most sizes vary from brand to brand. That includes vintage clothes as well.

Remember to not let the size tag bring you down. Looking good in clothes, is a lot about proportions and focusing on your best assets. Click here for more basic dressing tips for all shapes.

Note: I usually shop at American online stores and I've noticed that their clothes tend to be a size bigger than what I'm used to wear and buy here in Europe. The same thing with Asian clothes (Chinese, Korean, Philippines, etc). Asian sizes are usually one-two sizes smaller.

How to Take Your Body Measurements

Now I’m going to ask you to do something that might sound a bit scary: Measuring your true body size.

Don’t worry, it’s pretty simple. I’m going to show you how.

Here's What You’ll Need:

Cloth tape measure
A pencil (measurements will change over time) and piece of paper
Full-length mirror

So grab your tools.

Ready?

Ok, now make sure you’re in your underwear and stand up straight. That means roll your shoulders back to open your chest. Nobody's watching. So try not to pull in your stomach ;-)

Always use two fingers under the tape measure to build in the right amount of ease. Except for when measuring your shoulders and rise.

Take your measurements and fill in the appropriate spaces provided right here:

Note: We’ll be measuring in inches. So if you’re doing centimeters, divide the number with 2.54 and you'll get the numbers in inches An example: If your waist measures 75 centimeters, divide it by 2.54 and you’ll get the measurement in inches. 1 inch=2.54cm.

Shoulder to shoulder

Measure in a straight line from the largest points on each shoulder.

Bust

Under your arms, around the fullest part of your chest (right above your nipple bra area). Wrap the tape around your back and forward to the fullest part of your bust.

Natural waist

Around the narrowest part of your torso.

This is one of the areas we tend to pull in when it’s exposed. It’s natural. I do it myself when I’m wearing my bikini or a fitted dress. But we need to find the exact waist measurement, so don't hold your breath.

Low waist

One inch down from the narrowest part of your torso.

High hip

That’s about 4-5 inches down from your natural waist

Low hip

8-9 inches down from your natural waist – usually at the fullest part of your hips. This should be done with your legs close together.

Thighs

At the widest point

Rise

Measure from your natural waist down to your crotch. Hold the tape a little loose, gently pull it through the legs (from your crotch, between your legs) and up to the same level as your natural waist.

Inseam

From crotch to the inside of your ankle. Start from the ankle and up. This is best done with a partner.

Tips on How to Take Exact Measurements

Measure yourself after a meal (like lunch or dinner) to get the most accurate read of your body
Do it a couple of days after or before having your periods. Who doesn’t retain more water during menstruation cycle?

Now you know your true measurements! This will help save you time when going shopping. No more dissapointing surprises when you discover that the top you bought online is size smaller or bigger than what was stated on the description.

How to Use Your Measurements

Online, catalogues

Pay close attention to the sizing description. Compare it with your measurements. If your measurements equal a size bigger or smaller than what you're used to, buy it. Trust your measurements.

Tip: Remember to take note of the fabric. If a clothing is of 100% cotton it wil likely shrink when you wash it. So you might want to consider ordering a size larger. An exception is pre-washed clothes like most jeans and vintage clothes.

In a store

Always bring a measure tape when going shopping.

Reach for something in your size (standard size). Hold it up and take a good look at the construction.

If it doesn’t look like the right size, measure it.

Run your tape across the parts of the clothing (as seen above) and multiply it by two. Don’t think about the number on the clothing. Is the measurements on the clothing smaller or bigger than your standard size? Then pick the right size according to your own measurements.

Or you can always head to the fitting room.